I grew up in a Vilmanian household. My mom, grandma and titas are all fans of Star For All Seasons, Vilma Santos. (kaya Vilmanian din ako!) I remember we would spend our Friday nights watching her TV variety show, Vilma. (yung may mga giant kumot sa opening number na pakana ni Maribeth Bichara!) We also didn’t miss any of her movies being shown in cinemas. (uso pa yung pwede umupo sa hagdan pag wala nang maupuan!) Incidentally, my very first event hosting gig as a radio jock was her media conference for her endorsement of a milk brand. (yung may bear!)

Last month, I visited my alma mater, University of Santo Tomas, to witness its series of screenings of Ate Vi’s digitally restored films titled Woman, Artist, Icon, A Retrospective. (maraming Thomasian ang Vilmanian!) It featured the classics Tagos ng Dugo, Bata bata paano ka Ginawa?, Dekada 70 and Ekstra. (lahat yan napanuod ko ha!). This was in preparation for launching Ate Vi’s three books next year, to be sponsored by the UST Publishing House.  (tatlo agad parang I love you…lucky!)

Ate Vi personally attended the screening of Dekada 70 and took time to answer questions from students and media friends. (in fairness kay ate Vi, daming energy sa pagsagot, dinaig ang power ni Darna!)

“Nung nanonood ako, naka-focus ako. Yung mga dialogue, parang ngayon ko lang naaabsorb na ang ganda pala ng mga dialogue sa movie na ito. Very relevant. Yang mga ganyang pelikula, kahit ipalabas mo ngayon, sa generation na ito, I think they will appreciate this kind of movie. Kaya I'm proud na naging bahagi ako nito," says Ate Vi. (parang kakashoot nga lang last month!)

Ate Vi’s contribution to the Pinoy film industry is indeed remarkable. Her movies are timeless, and her acting prowess is incomparable. (sya may pinakamaraming grand slam best actress award ha!) The release of her books will surely be a momentous event. (pakyawin na yan mga ateng!)

“Nabubuo pa lalo yung pagkatao mo. At the end of the day, the magic word is legacy. Kasi yung kabuuan ng pagkatao mo, yun ang pinaka-importante na naibahagi mo, lalo na kapag nagkakaedad ka na," Ate Vi shares. (kaya dapat go na talaga sa pagiging national artist!

(Youtube/FB: WTFu. Twitter/IG/Tiktok: @mrfu_mayganon. FB: mr.fu tagabulabog ng buong universe. Patreon: www.patreon.com/wtfu website: www.channelfu.com)